Like Shooting Teddy Roosevelt in a Barrel

A lot of deer and elk may be set free in North Dakota. It’s called “can hunting”. They’re basically places where hunters can hunt deer or elk on fenced farms- a form of a “captive audience”. Like paintball except the animals don’t have paintball guns or acne problems. A proposal to ban such private hunting reserves is being debated in the North Dakota Senate’s Natural Resources Committee. Supporters are lining up on both sides. And they’re all ridiculous.

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/02/02/news/state/128148.txt

On one side are the folks supporting the farms. Vance Tomlinson, a deer rancher, said the game farms particularly benefit the elderly and handicapped. Pause for a moment, close your eyes, and picture the elderly or somebody in a wheelchair with a high-powered rifle and an orange vest. Awesome.

On the other side are the folks against the farms. Like Shawn McKenna, Executive Director of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation. Mr. McKenna said “blasting a captive animal inside a cage and calling it hunting is morally wrong.” Morally wrong, is it? Where exactly is the moral line drawn? Is it because the animals are fenced in? Is it because the animals aren’t armed? Oh that’s right, no animals in the wild have the use of firearms. Hunt the deer or elk with your bare hands, then come back to me for the “morally wrong” conversation.

And then both sides had to get Teddy Roosevelt involved. Yeah, that Teddy Roosevelt.

Gary Masching, an opponent of the farms, said “I believe he (Teddy Roosevelt) would turn over in his grave if he knew what was going on.” Not to be outdone, Senator Connie Triplett said if lawmakers were to rule against hunters “I think Teddy Roosevelt would crawl out of his grave and come get us.” Thank you Senator. That image will keep me from sleeping for a week or two.

You’re welcome.